The Episcopal/Anglican Church in Jones County Welcomes You

Last Wednesday night, I was in our church, reflecting on a gift of kindness to my daughter that was given earlier that evening. Elizabeth could not tune her new ukulele and one of our parishioners was generous enough to help her. I remember Elizabeth saying, “Thank you,” as we departed, and I thought how easy it is for someone to show their gratitude by saying those two words.

So, as I sat in a pew that evening, I reflected on what I was grateful for and how well was I showing it. Several years ago, someone asked me this and what actions was I taking to express my gratitude. I remember struggling with an answer.

Today, I remind myself of God’s gifts and in what ways am I demonstrating my gratitude for I believe that is what He desires of me. It is easy for me to say “thank you” to God, but I should strive to turn my gratitude into action. Helping others and our church are great examples but ones I sometimes struggle with. Giving our time freely is not always as easy as it looks, but how does someone like Father Jeff and other parishioners make it appear so? I believe they approach their actions with an attitude of gratitude.
God breaths life into us each morning, offers us salvation, provides a church we can freely worship in (unlike in some areas of the world), and a priest who gives selflessly and tirelessly of his time. Those are gifts I often take for granted.
Moving forward I plan on routinely asking myself what more can I do to show my gratitude in action to God and Saint John’s Episcopal Church. Showing up regularly for Sunday service is a simple one I plan to improve upon. Helping others is another. Finally, I plan to review my pledge giving and prayerfully reflect if there is more I can do because I too would like to see our church thrive by employing an assistant priest who can support Fr Jeff and our parish.
As this stewardship season approaches, please join me in self-reflection on how satisfied we are with our attitude of gratitude and what we could do more of in our actions to help our beloved church and her parish.
God bless,
Rand McLaughlin, Jr. Warden

Help Us Support the Laurel Soup Kitchen

In an effort to help feed the hungry in our Community, we will begin collecting CANNED VEGETABLES to support the Good Samaritan Soup Kitchen in feeding the hungry of Jones County. Please bring your canned vegetables – beans, peas, corn, collard greens, butter beans, carrots, etc. to the church and place them in the box in the nave or the box by the parish office. We will get your donations to the Soup Kitchen for their use in providing meals to those in need. Thank you for helping us help the neediest in Laurel.

Children’s Christian Education

It’s that time again! With the start of school fast approaching, we have decided to start Sunday School for all ages AUGUST 12TH AT 9:15am. Please plan to join us Sunday mornings for what promises to be an exciting year in our Christian Education program. Our teachers are ready, new curriculum has arrived and the only thing we need now is YOU. As always, doughnuts and coffee are available prior to the start of Sunday School.

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Sign up to feed our E.Y.C.

We need your help feeding our E.Y.C. members on Sunday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the parish. There is a sign up sheet located on the board in the sacristy hallway with dates that are available. For more information, contact the Parish Office.

2018 FLOWER CHART

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

As most of you know, Fr. Jeff is on sabbatical for a few weeks. We wish him safe travels, and we hope he gets the rest and relaxation that he needs and deserves. The members of the Vestry are taking on many of his duties while he is gone. We are only a few days in, but it has been an eye-opening experience for many of us. To say that Fr. Jeff has a long list of duties would be an understatement. These duties have grown larger every year due to the growth that St. John’s has experienced over the last few years. Because of this growth, our staff has become stretched thin. For this reason, the Vestry has begun to explore options that would relieve some of this stress.

After many discussions and exploring possible solutions, the Vestry has decided to hire a second priest. We have identified candidates for the position. We are looking for an energetic priest that would work closely with the youth of our church. The EYC has grown to over 40 members, and our Sunday school is the one of the largest in the diocese. We have a great group of volunteers, but the amount of time and effort required from them is becoming excessive. We intend to continue to grow our Christian Education so the work load will continue to increase.

Fr. Jeff has to commit more and more of his time to our Christian education. Since he was already stretched thin, other duties are being postponed or neglected. St. John’s membership has increased dramatically under Fr. Jeff’s guidance, and we do not want a lack of resources to stop our momentum.

Now comes the tough part of this discussion. Hiring a second Priest will cost $72,000. This money is not available at our current pledging level. In order for us to move forward in this process, we will need a commitment from families to cover this amount. I had a vestry person tell me they would be happy to commit money toward this, and would consider it an investment in their family. I hope many of you will feel the same way. If you have any thoughts or concerns about this, please talk to me or any of our vestry members about it. We represent you, and we value your thoughts.

God Bless,

Adam Sauls, Sr. Warden

Help Us Support the Laurel Soup Kitchen

In an effort to help feed the hungry in our Community, we will begin collecting CANNED VEGETABLES to support the Good Samaritan Soup Kitchen in feeding the hungry of Jones County. Please bring your canned vegetables – beans, peas, corn, collard greens, butter beans, carrots, etc. to the church and place them in the box in the nave or the box by the parish office. We will get your donations to the Soup Kitchen for their use in providing meals to those in need. Thank you for helping us help the neediest in Laurel.

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

2018 FLOWER CHART

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Grace and peace to my parish family:
I hope all are well. Tomorrow morning I leave for a mini- sabbatical and will return around the end of the month. This past week marked my 10 year anniversary and I have been in the ministry around 14 and, while I am supposed to take a sabbatical every seven years, this will be the first. I am taking a kind of American pilgrimage exploring important places and figures in the shaping of American Christianity. I also hope to be able to rest, recover and find inspiration and renewed energy. I will be spending a good deal of time in prayer as well. All and all I am very much looking forward to my time away, knowing that the parish is in good hands. Adam Sauls, our Senior Warden, is ready and willing to handle anything that might come along. Our vestry had been prepped and ready to step and see that things run smoothly. We have a pastoral care guild that will be stepping up and ministering to those in need. We have emergency priest coverage and Fr. Arnold Bush will be joining us for a Sunday or two. So, it seems everything is in place and things should run smoothly.
We are still in need of some folks to teach Sunday School and help facilitate our outreach ministries this Fall, so please prayerfully consider how you can get involved in your parish. Thanks to everyone who is stepping up so that I may take some time away.
See you around the parish
Jeff+

Help Us Support the Laurel Soup Kitchen

In an effort to help feed the hungry in our Community, we will begin collecting CANNED VEGETABLES to support the Laurel Soup Kitchen in feeding the hungry of Jones County. The Laurel Soup Kitchen serves a small breakfast and hot lunch to people who has very little to no food. Please bring your canned vegetables – beans, peas, corn, collard greens, butter beans, carrots, etc. to the church and place them in the box in the nave or the box by the parish office. We will get your donations to the Soup Kitchen for their use in providing meals to those in need. Thank you for helping us help the neediest in Laurel.

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Interested in becoming a member of the Altar Guild? Join us for our monthly meeting, July 18th at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall and we can answer any questions you may have. We would love to have YOU!

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

2018 FLOWER CHART

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

“A sure sign of the deadening of the soul is the avoidance of church services. A man who is growing cold towards God begins first of all to flee attending church. At first he tries to come to services later, and then he ceases altogether to visit God’s house…” Barsanuphius of Optina

What is the deadening of the soul? It is the hidden dying and death to things spiritual… to the things of God giving way to the growth and presence of material matters and concerns. One can think of it in this way. When a person succumbs to a chronic illness, they become physically weakened, sometime it is so slow that is isn’t really noticeable… but eventually the illness grows to the point that there is no strength left in them at all. It is the same with the human soul as it is dying. If we are negligent in our spiritual life, and all the while faced with continual distractions, occasions to sin, selfishness, thinking of this life only… then our feelings for God’s teaching, the Gospel message, the grace that is found in the sacraments are deadened. And while the things of God are just as present around them, they cease to exist in the person’s soul, and the person’s time and energy are given only to the cares of this world- to that which is material, temporal, empty and worthless in the realms of God.
This idea is a heavy one to be sure, but I believe it to be true. If our first and best efforts are not given to God and our spiritual life… we begin to die inside. If we concern ourselves only with material and fleeting things, we become numb to the life of virtue, peace and joy that is found in God. And many is the time that this dying is so slow and invisible, that we don’t even realize how close we are to dying spiritually. Ponder these things beloved, and do not neglect your soul and the spiritual life.
See you around the parish,
Jeff+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

2018 FLOWER CHART

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Laurel First United Methodist Church will host this year’s ecumenical Vacation Bible School NEXT week, June 18-21. Registration forms will be available at Bible School beginning Monday morning at 9:00. The age range for VBS is completed K3 – 6th grade. VBS will run Monday – Thursday next week from 9:00am – 12:30pm. Hope to see you there!

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

In reading the journal of priest’s from generations gone past- in many regards so much has changed in the operation and management of parish churches in the past few decades. Things like printing and communication are now done in house and electronically whereas in days gone by there were many steps and groups involved- now one person can do the job of several with higher quality results. We can produce videos, audio and podcasts and all other sorts of media with very little effort. Other things have changed as well. Communication is instant, and I can stay in touch with over three hundred people with little difficulty. I have a journal of a priest who used to make great efforts to gather the entire parish and the process of holding an annual meeting was months long. He would also have to take the better part of a day to visit one person, only finding out about illness or difficulty through letter or word of mouth. It is mind blowing how much more efficient parish operations have become and the ease at which things flow. Some aspects of my job would be unrecognizable to priests in days gone past… information and innovation flow freely.
And generally I love the ease of these things… I take pride in the fact that things are so much more efficient and that my work now includes so many different and varied things- all thanks to technology.
But I was taken aback on Monday morning as I came across a smartphone app. It’s called “Plantsnap” and it claims to be able to identify and describe any plant by simply pointing the camera in the plants direction. As some of you know one of my degrees or areas of study is in taxonomy of flowering plants… and I spent years learning how to identify and describe the attributes of every plant in the Southeast and beyond. Untold hours of study and work… with chemical and pharmaceutical companies funding the study and research of taxonomists. It was a thing in which I took great pride… it was a tremendous amount of work and effort. And Monday I found that the majority of my efforts and education had been replaced by a smartphone app. Information and innovation freely flow indeed.
There are other aspects of my vocation as priest that cannot be streamlined or put into a smartphone app. Things like prayer take time… obtaining wisdom take work… developing a relationship with Jesus is a thing that must be nurtured and cultivated with time and effort. Worship takes time and presence and can’t be replaced by an app. These things haven’t and can’t at their heart change.
Information, innovation and technology drive the world… but let us not forget that there are some things that are ancient and unchanging… things like prayer, worship and building our relationship with Jesus Christ. Becoming holy is a life-long process that requires hard effort and time. In our world that is all about bigger, better, faster- do not forget that God doesn’t work that way and requires our time and attention… Our love for God requires ancient wisdom and the gift of our time and attention.
See you around the parish,
Jeff+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Last Sunday’s youth, baccalaureate and mother’s day celebrations was a thing to behold! Josh Flowers did a suburb job preaching, our youth showed their leadership skills and talents leading the congregation and Mother’s Day was lovely, as always. A tip of the Biretta to all those who took part to make the day very special indeed.
This Sunday sees our annual parish picnic, which will take place on the parish lawn and feature a Jazz ensemble and choir providing the sacred music. The Men’s Guild are cooking for us, and several of the faithful are bringing side dishes. There are a few things to be aware of:

The 8:00am mass remains unaltered and will be said as normal. The Jazz mass starts at 10:00am.

If you are able, please bring a lawn chair- we are going to set out chairs for those who cannot or do not have chairs, but we are expecting the faithful to bring a lawn chair to enjoy the day.

In case of rain we will move into the Church for the mass and then to the parish hall for our picnic lunch.

At the service, we will honour our Sunday School teachers- please be sure to thank them for their efforts.

I leave you all with a tip O’ the Birretta- this past week we had to replace the air conditioners in the nursery and have some major work done on the HVAC unit that cools the kitchen area of the parish house. And for the first time in my ten years here, we did not have to beg, borrow and steal to have the work done!!! You all have been doing a tremendous job in your giving to the parish this year!!!! I cannot tell you what it means to me not to have to be daily worried about where money will come from to handle items in our budget. So know that your faith and efforts have not gone unnoticed by your vestry, priest and treasurer. Chapeau!
I’m very much looking forward to this Sunday! And I hope you are too.
In Christ our Lord,
Jeff+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Lauren Rogers Museum Offering Art in the Annex

The museum is offering Art in the Annex on the first and third Monday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and it’s free and just for the fun of it. A still life set up is provided to draw or paint, without instruction, using materials brought from home. High school age students and adults from St. John’s Church are welcome. Participants need to call Elizabeth Patterson at the museum, 601-649-6374, to register before attending.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

An Easy Way to Help St. John’s Day School

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

A Tip O’ The Biretta

To our high school graduates: Mary-Abigail Elizabeth Bankson, Joshua Christian Flowers and Garrett Conner Herring as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

To the Youth of St. John’s for the tremendous job they did leading all aspects of worship and Christian Education on Youth Sunday.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

This Sunday sees a trifecta of celebrations and a nod to a Feast Day. Firstly, this Sunday is Baccalaureate Sunday, and at the 10:30 service, we will bless and honor our graduates. It’s also Youth Sunday, and the EYC will be taking over many of the leadership roles. They are teaching all of our Sunday School classes (even the adult), and providing leadership in the 10:30 liturgy. Josh Flowers, one of our seniors, will be preaching at both the 8:00am and 10:30 services. And it’s also Mother’s Day- so we will hand out roses and sing a hymn thanking God for our mothers- it is our custom to give all of the ladies, young and old, roses, whether they are biological mothers or not- for in some way, just as Mary was given the title of Mother of the Church, so to with all the ladies of the parish. The Feast of the Ascension is this Thursday, and although we aren’t able to celebrate it in our traditional manner this year, the music and prayers will pay tribute to our Lord’s ascending to the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
With all that said- please make your best effort to come and honour the graduates, support our youth as they teach the little ones and the adults (that means get your kids to Sunday School), and help us celebrate all of the mothers in our lives and the life of the parish.
See you all Sunday,
Jeffrey+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Help Needed

We have been asked to help a young man, in his early 20’s, currently residing at Pine Grove Group home (across from the Laurel Fairgrounds) requesting a ride to church each Sunday. He is a life long Episcopalian desiring to attend St. John’s. He loves church but has no way to get here. If you are interested in helping provide transportation to this young man, please call the office for more information.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

Honduras Medical Mission

Important information about the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission:

First, applications are available for the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission and can be found on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website: http://www.dioms.org/Ministries/honduras.html

There are a few important dates to remember:
* The dates for the 2019 mission will be Saturday, February 9-Saturday, 16, 2019.
* Deadline for submitting applications is July 15, 2018.
* The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2018.
* There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 11, 2019, until Saturday before lunch January 12, 2019.

Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1500. The first $750 must be paid by September 15, 2018, with the remainder due December 15, 2018.

Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists. There are also openings for general support for which no prior training is necessary! We always need Spanish-speaking applicants, but there are translators present for those who don’t speak Spanish. So please – encourage your parishioners to apply, regardless of their background!

Second, if you have individuals who do not wish to travel, but who want to support the mission, there are two ways for them to do so:

1. Word of Mouth: Almost everyone knows a medical professional or someone who loves to help others and travel! Encourage them to apply.

2. Financial Donations: While team members pay for their own expenses, the mission does fundraising to raise the money to purchase medicines, supplies, and tools needed to serve the team. We also offer small grants to the community for infrastructure, economic, and educational improvements. Any support of these activities – either by individuals, vestries, or servant ministry groups is welcome. Donations may be sent to the
Honduras Medical Mission c/o Sandra Perkins
P. O. Box 2006 Tupelo, MS 38804.

If you, or your parish, have questions about the mission, feel free to contact me at any time.

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

During much of this Eastertide, the Church’s Sunday readings have been focused on the nature and meaning of love. We have been reading much of our Patron, Saint John’s first epistle, wherein he shares and defines the nature and substance of a holy and godly love. We have also spent time, and will continue, in the farewell discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint John, where Jesus speaks to His closest friends about matters of love. It has been abundantly clear these past weeks that the love we have and the love we give emanates from God Almighty, and if we are to share in that love, we must abide in Christ through prayer and worship- the places where God’s love flows freely. The other thing of note is that true love is shown and lived in sacrifice and deed- the measure of our love is shown in giving of ourselves to others and in acts of love and kindness.
What we have been reading in the Liturgies of the Church and what we learn of love in the world stand in stark contrast to each other much of the time. God’s love is about giving of self and loving in ‘deed and in truth.’ The love the world promotes has the self at the center and not God… love is often measured in how something makes the individual feel… or in what the individual gains.
I hope and pray we all, myself included, are paying very close attention to the scripture readings during the Easter season, for our understanding of love stands at the center of our lives, and all of our actions emanate from that understanding of love.
The question all of this talk of love forces upon us during this Eastertide is this- If we look at our lives, does the love present in our actions look like the love John and our Lord describe and show forth or does it look like that which the world proclaims and promotes? Let us work to the end that we possess the love of God in our lives and in our actions that we may go before the throne of Judgment boldly and joyfully.
In Christ our Lord,
Jeff+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Help Needed

We have been asked to help a young man, in his early 20’s, currently residing at Pine Grove Group home (across from the Laurel Fairgrounds) requesting a ride to church each Sunday. He is a life long Episcopalian desiring to attend St. John’s. He loves church but has no way to get here. If you are interested in helping provide transportation to this young man, please call the office for more information.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

Honduras Medical Mission

Important information about the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission:

First, applications are available for the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission and can be found on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website: http://www.dioms.org/Ministries/honduras.html

There are a few important dates to remember:
* The dates for the 2019 mission will be Saturday, February 9-Saturday, 16, 2019.
* Deadline for submitting applications is July 15, 2018.
* The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2018.
* There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 11, 2019, until Saturday before lunch January 12, 2019.

Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1500. The first $750 must be paid by September 15, 2018, with the remainder due December 15, 2018.

Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists. There are also openings for general support for which no prior training is necessary! We always need Spanish-speaking applicants, but there are translators present for those who don’t speak Spanish. So please – encourage your parishioners to apply, regardless of their background!

Second, if you have individuals who do not wish to travel, but who want to support the mission, there are two ways for them to do so:

1. Word of Mouth: Almost everyone knows a medical professional or someone who loves to help others and travel! Encourage them to apply.

2. Financial Donations: While team members pay for their own expenses, the mission does fundraising to raise the money to purchase medicines, supplies, and tools needed to serve the team. We also offer small grants to the community for infrastructure, economic, and educational improvements. Any support of these activities – either by individuals, vestries, or servant ministry groups is welcome. Donations may be sent to the
Honduras Medical Mission c/o Sandra Perkins
P. O. Box 2006 Tupelo, MS 38804.

If you, or your parish, have questions about the mission, feel free to contact me at any time.

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Hello all:
The ending of an academic year is a very busy time for many of us. It is also a season of festivals and events, so I want to spend my time telling you about a few upcoming events so you can have ample time to add them to your schedules.
The first is a trifecta type of Sunday- on May 13th we will celebrate Mother’s Day, Youth Sunday and Baccalaureate Sunday… this is the day we hand out roses to all the women of the parish, and the children will sing as well as our youth (EYC members) taking many of the leadership roles in our Sunday programming and worship.
The very next Sunday – May 20th, Pentecost Sunday, we will have our annual parish picnic… but with a slight twist. This year, we will picnic on the lawn of the Church, the men’s guild grilling hamburgers, hotdogs and other tasty treats. The hope of our annual picnic is to have a more casual Sunday, worship and spent time enjoying one anothers company. This year we are planning a special treat. The music of the Sunday liturgy will be provided by a Jazz ensemble, which is very different from our normal, but will be quite the experience. To those who might be suspicious of having jazz music during the liturgy, the ensemble will offer our normal service music (the Kyrie or Lord have Mercy, Gloria, Sanctus and Angus Dei) in a faithful but ‘jazzy’ manner. To be completely honest, I have never been a big fan of things like this (shocking I know!), but it is really, really nice and worth experiencing. There will be a New Orleans inspired hymn or two as well. I am very excited about the day and the ‘Jazz Mass’ and I pray you all will mark your calendars, and come spend the morning at the annual parish picnic.
God bless you all.
Jeff+

The Altar Guild is comprised of a group of individual who are in the service of the Altar and who serve at the pleasure of the priest. The “normal” care and replacement of altar items are included in our annual budget each year. Yet, there are special “extras” that may not be in the budget and as a group the Altar Guild would love to be able to provide for the church in special ways.
With this in mind, The Altar Guild is selling stainless steel tumblers as a fund-raiser. These high quality mugs are perfect for outdoor activities and travel. Color engraved with Saint John’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal flag and Laurel, Mississippi they are selling for $25.00 each. Contact any of the Altar Guild members or the church office while supplies last. Supply is limited.
Make checks payable to: SAINT JOHN’S ALTAR GUILD

Help Needed

We have been asked to help a young man, in his early 20’s, currently residing at Pine Grove Group home (across from the Laurel Fairgrounds) requesting a ride to church each Sunday. He is a life long Episcopalian desiring to attend St. John’s. He loves church but has no way to get here. If you are interested in helping provide transportation to this young man, please call the office for more information.

The Altar Flower Chart for 2018 is on the board in the Sacristy hallway and we need the faithful to sign up to take a Sunday in memory or thanksgiving of someone or an event. If you are unable to come to the parish to sign up, you are more than welcome to call the parish office with a date you would like and we will try our best to accommodate you. When a person takes a Sunday, they contact the parish to make known their thanksgiving/memorial wording for the Sunday bulletin. Mr. Randy Jackson of Flowertyme is a communicant, but you may choose which florist you would like to deal with, or you can make the arrangement yourself and place them in the sanctuary.

Honduras Medical Mission

Important information about the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission:

First, applications are available for the 2019 Honduras Medical Mission and can be found on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website: http://www.dioms.org/Ministries/honduras.html

There are a few important dates to remember:
* The dates for the 2019 mission will be Saturday, February 9-Saturday, 16, 2019.
* Deadline for submitting applications is July 15, 2018.
* The team will be chosen and applicants notified in August 2018.
* There is a mandatory overnight team retreat at Gray Center Friday evening January 11, 2019, until Saturday before lunch January 12, 2019.

Individuals must pay their own team fees of $1500. The first $750 must be paid by September 15, 2018, with the remainder due December 15, 2018.

Anyone may apply – we always have a need for medical professionals including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, and pharmacists. There are also openings for general support for which no prior training is necessary! We always need Spanish-speaking applicants, but there are translators present for those who don’t speak Spanish. So please – encourage your parishioners to apply, regardless of their background!

Second, if you have individuals who do not wish to travel, but who want to support the mission, there are two ways for them to do so:

1. Word of Mouth: Almost everyone knows a medical professional or someone who loves to help others and travel! Encourage them to apply.

2. Financial Donations: While team members pay for their own expenses, the mission does fundraising to raise the money to purchase medicines, supplies, and tools needed to serve the team. We also offer small grants to the community for infrastructure, economic, and educational improvements. Any support of these activities – either by individuals, vestries, or servant ministry groups is welcome. Donations may be sent to the
Honduras Medical Mission c/o Sandra Perkins
P. O. Box 2006 Tupelo, MS 38804.

If you, or your parish, have questions about the mission, feel free to contact me at any time.

Start clipping BOX TOPS for Education! Hundreds of products participate in the program, and you probably already have several in your pantry, freezer and refrigerator. For every Box Top you clip, St. John’s Day School will receive 10 cents!!! That may not sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. There are no limitations on the money’s use, so St. John’s can spend it as needed.
Grab your scissors and keep an eye out for the Box Tops for Education logo on the products you use every day. Once you have finished the product, clip the Box Top before you throw it away. Be sure to look over the whole box. There is a container labeled for your Box Tops on the table in the hallway.

A Tip O’ The Biretta

To those who have purchased a St. John’s insulated mug from our Altar Guild. A limited number are available in the parish office or by contacting a member of the Altar Guild.

O God, our heavenly Father, make the door of this Church wide enough that all who need human love and fellowship and a Fathers care may find it, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and uncharitableness. Here may the tempted find help, and the sorrowing receive comfort. Here may the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy. And here may all your children renew their strength in You, and go on their way rejoicing. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.